Kroenke Sports & Entertainment is overhauling the Denver Nuggets' local broadcast crew, removing three longtime announcers from the Altitude Sports team [1].
This shake-up marks a significant shift in how the NBA franchise communicates with its local fanbase. By replacing established voices, the organization is signaling a desire for a new identity in its media presentation as it enters a new era of distribution.
Chris Marlowe, Scott Hastings, and Chris Dempsey are the three announcers who will not return for the 2026-2027 season [1]. The decision comes as KSE manages the local television broadcast of the Nuggets in Denver, Colorado [2].
The move is part of a broader effort to reorganize broadcast operations. This overhaul coincides with a new broadcast-rights partnership with TEGNA [5]. Under this agreement, Altitude Sports will broadcast 20 Denver Nuggets games and 20 Colorado Avalanche games [4].
The transition involves a strategic pivot in how KSE leverages its regional sports network. The partnership with TEGNA stations, including 9News and My20, aims to expand the reach of the team's games across the region [5].
KSE has not yet named the replacements for Marlowe, Hastings, and Dempsey. The organization is currently restructuring the personnel required to execute the new broadcast strategy for the upcoming season [1].
“Three longtime announcers will not return for the 2026-2027 season”
The removal of veteran broadcasters suggests that KSE is prioritizing a fresh brand image to align with its new distribution deal with TEGNA. By shifting 20 games to a broader partner, the team is moving away from a closed regional sports network model toward a more accessible hybrid approach, necessitating a change in on-air talent to match the new viewership goals.
